Housekeeper.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 402, 21 January 1904, Page 7

Housekeeper.

To Clean Water Battles and Dasantera, —Cat up some raw potato (or will do), and pat it into the bottle with a little soapy water. Shake the bottle till it is clean, then empty, rinse it thoroughly in clear water, and drain till dry. ' Knitted Dishcloths are pleasant to use and eaaily kept clean; Make them on two needles, about No.- 8, in plain knit- - ting with coarse, soft unbleached cotton. A half*yard square is a useful size, but many people like them smaller. . A littld ealtf, added to the oil in your lamp, will prevent the disagreeable oily smell which • one notices sometimes even t when the lamps are carefully kept. Some things, which we ate accnstomed to look upon as unaccountable misfortunes are sent into our lives simply to clear the way for better things than we Have ever known before.* Don't waste life in doubtß and fears % spend- yourself on the work before you. The right performance of this hours duties will be the best preparation for the I hours and ages that follow. If an article has been scorched in ironing, lay it where the bright sunshine will fall directly on it. - ; ">•.%,- Polish for Stoves.—A teaspoonful of powdered alum, mixed with the stove polish will give great brilliance to the .stove, which it will not speedily lose. .;,;. When ironing handkerchiefs the centre ahohld always be ironed first. If the edges are ironed first this causes the centre to swell, and the handkerchiefs will not be smooth. To revive cut flowers after packing, plunge the stems into boiling water j by the time the water is cold the flowers will have revived.. Cut the ends and put in . fresh cold water. For stopping a leak in a cask, beat up some whiting with common yellow soap. If this, mixture is well rubbed into the leak, it .will be found to stop it after everything has failed. . To make fire burn quickly, place the ' lumps of coal with the grain upwards towards the chimney; but if wanted *° . burn slowly, place the coal with the grain across the fire, and it will have the desired effect. , Bemember to sweep the carpets the way of the hap sto brush'the other way is to - brush the dust in. Attend to all stains as soon as possible. If left, they will ■ soak into the carpet and be very difficult to remove. Sponges cannot be kept clean unless always wrung out ofcleah water as (toy . as possible after use, and exposed to the air till dry. The proper mode of oleansing is to let them lie in strong borax and water, or soda and water for some hours, squeezing them as hard as possible ~,. occasionally.,. To remove' grease from wall-papers, mix Borne fuller's earth with ox-gall and cold "water, and' spet. , Pin a little blotting-paper over thai mix* tare, and leave it for three or four hours, then brush it. off carefully, when in all) probability the grease will ba removed i if not, renew the operation—the success! of which, however, depends ..upon the paper cleaning nicely. \s'M , A Simple Method of Testing the Parity; of Milk.—A German paper giref a test for watered milk, which is simplicity itself. A well-polished - knitting-needle is dipped into a deep vessel of milk and;, immediately withdrawn in an upright position. If the sample is pure'some of* , the fluid will hang to, the needle, but,ifwater has been added;to the milk, even in; small proportions, the flaid will^not' adhere to the needle. ■>'& v :. ? An Excellent Farniture Polish.—Shake together in a bottle equal parts of viaegar and linseed oil, and apply a very little! with a piece of flannel, and then polish off with a soft cloth. 'jßemetober that the polish should be applied sparingly, but not,the •elbow-grease,' of; which a good; supply is needed if you would see your furniture looking its very best. To Clean Far.—Take equal parts of salt andflour, mix" and heat in the oven, taking care not to colour the flour indoing soV With a clean piece of flihnel,; rub this mixture into the far; which must; afterwards be shaken and brushed till itis quite free of fl^ur, To •*« prevent bright § pans from being, blackened by. smoke; rub with fat before" putting them.on the Wash with hot water and soda after using them and they will be q lite bright. , \ "z^£ Te remove the smell of cooking.—lnto a ;, pint of boiling water pbur a few drops off , oil of lavender. Open v ihe'window of the\ room and carry the. basin round times, In''a few minutes' all odour -of --,>' oooking will have disappeared. ' *